Peter’s Vision for Economic Development
My vision for economic development in Monroe Country includes increased housing stock, improvement in quality of life, increased wages, a focus on equity, and climate action. My 5-year tenure on the county council informs these prosperity points.
From that position, I saw the current Commissioners take policy positions counter to prosperity. Consider the three votes in 2021 against workforce and affordable housing. Scrutinize their insistence on a County Development Ordinance that reduces the number of plots for residential, business, and industrial uses. Judge the 15+ years that it took to construct a future jail that still is siteless. Measure the time to expand our convention center and the estimated $2m per year lost. It’s time for a change.
A successful plan for economic development necessitates Peter Iversen as Commissioner. My vision laid out at http://PeterIversen.org starts with fully funding the BEDC contract with the County so that the full weight of economic vitality can enhance our existing assets and entice future investments. My plan ensures that zoning changes account for employer importance in our economy and position our society to grow its population instead of pushing it away with unaffordable housing prices. My plan also takes seriously the Regional Opportunities Initiative (ROI) housing study, understanding that the housing crisis can be solved by increasing the County's role.
My philosophy is to adopt a future-oriented approach to County governance. Looking into the future, we can articulate where we want to go. This philosophy is why I support the Airport’s strategic plan to grow to meet our future needs. I also envision a future that includes a robust technology corridor connecting Crane Naval Base to the biomedical firms and the R1 research arms of Indiana University. Our future must also include collaborative extension of essential infrastructure to grow with us, including our need to expand sewer services, protect drinking water, and ensure that our growth can be sustainable for a fragile planet. Our future is bright, but we must plan for it.
